Articles of jewelry particularly associated with sports

ABSTRACT

An article of jewelry of a design and construction for associating the jewelry article with a particular sport, includes a mounting unit for mounting the jewelry article on a wearer, and an ornamental unit carried by the mounting unit, characterized in that each of the units includes a simulation of an item used in the particular sport. A number of embodiments are described wherein the article of jewelry is a necklace, a ring, or a bracelet, and wherein the jewelry article includes simulations of items used in football, baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf and water skiing.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to articles of jewelry, and particularly to jewelry articles of a design and construction such as to associate them with a particular sport.

Articles of jewelry are frequently constructed of two parts or units: a mounting unit for mounting the jewelry on a wearer, and an ornamental unit carried by the mounting unit. For example, in necklaces, the mounting unit is a neckband to be worn around the neck of a person, and the ornamental unit may be a pendant or the like to be suspended from the neckband. In rings, the mounting unit is a finger band to be slipped on to the wearer's finger, and the ornamental unit may be of one or more precious stones fixed to the upper face of the finger band. In bracelets, the mounting unit may be a wrist band to be applied to the wrist of the wearer, and the ornamental unit may include one or more precious stones fixed to an outer face of the wrist band. In pins, the mounting unit may be a pin to be passed through the fabric of the wearer, and the ornamental unit may be a decorative brooch or the like fixed to the pin.

Articles of jewelry are frequently constructed of special designs to associate them with special events or special occasions, such as anniversaries, weddings, and the like. Many creative designs have been used to produce the association with the special event.

An object of the present invention is to provide articles of jewelry of a unique design and construction for associating them with particular sports, such as football, baseball, soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, and the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a broad aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article of jewelry of design and construction for associating the jewelry article with a particular sport, comprising: a mounting unit for mounting the jewelry article on a wearer; and an ornamental unit carried by the mounting unit; characterized in that each of the units includes a simulation of an item used in the particular sport.

A number of embodiments of the invention are described below for purposes of example.

Thus, in one group of embodiments, the item of jewelry is a necklace. In these embodiments, the mounting unit is a neck band, and the ornamental unit is a pendant depending from the neck band. The various sports represented in these embodiments of the invention include football, basketball, baseball, soccer, golf, tennis, and water skiing.

Another group of embodiments are described below wherein the item of jewelry is a ring. In these embodiments, the mounting unit is a finger band for mounting on the finger of a wearer, and the ornamental unit includes a precious stone mounted on the finger band. Several embodiments of this group are described wherein the sport is basketball, golf and baseball.

A further group of embodiments are described wherein the item of jewelry is a bracelet. In these embodiments, the mounting unit is a wrist band, and the ornamental unit includes a precious unit mounted on the wrist band. One particular embodiment is described for purposes of example, wherein the particular sport is golf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of an article of jewelry constructed in accordance with the present invention in the form of a necklace designed to be associated with the sport of football;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are front and side views of the pendant in the necklace of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are side and front views illustrating another pendant that may be used in the necklace of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates another necklace constructed in accordance with the present invention to be associated with the sport of baseball;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the pendant in the necklace of FIG. 6, which pendant simulates a ball and glove used in playing the sport baseball;

FIG. 8 is a side view of another pendant which may be included in the necklace of FIG. 6;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are side and rear views, respectively, illustrating another pendant which may be used in the necklace of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 illustrates another necklace constructed in accordance with the present invention to be associated with the sport of soccer (European football);

FIG. 12 illustrates another necklace constructed in accordance with the present invention, for association with the sport of soccer;

FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the pendant in the necklace of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 illustrates another necklace constructed in accordance with the present invention, for association with the sport of basketball.

FIG. 15 illustrates the basketball pendant in the necklace of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 illustrates another necklace constructed in accordance with the present invention for association with the sport of tennis;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the tennis ball link included in the necklace of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 more particularly illustrates the pendant that may be used in the necklace of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 illustrates another necklace constructed in accordance with the present invention for association with the sport of golf;

FIG. 20 is a side view more particularly illustrating the pendant in the necklace of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 illustrates another necklace constructed in accordance with the present invention, for association with the sport of water skiing;

FIG. 22 illustrates a ring constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a top view of the ring of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 illustrates another ring constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a top view of the ring of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 illustrates another ring constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 27 illustrates a bracelet constructed in accordance with the present invention;

and FIG. 28 is a top view of the bracelet of FIG. 27.

It is to be understood that the foregoing drawings, and the description below, are provided primarily for purposes of facilitating understanding the conceptual aspects of the invention and possible embodiments thereof, including what is presently considered to be a preferred embodiment. In the interest of clarity and brevity, no attempt is made to provide more details than necessary to enable one skilled in the art, using routine skill and design, to understand and practice the described invention. It is to be further understood that the embodiments described are for purposes of example only, and that the invention is capable of being embodied in other forms and applications than described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments of the invention as illustrated in the drawing, and as to be described more particularly below, are in the form of articles of jewelry of a design and construction for associating them with a particular sport. All include a mounting unit for mounting the jewelry item on a wearer, and an ornamental unit carried by the mounting unit. Each unit includes a simulation of an item used in the particular sport.

Thus, FIG. 1 illustrates the article of jewelry in the form of a necklace, generally designated 10, including a neckband 11 and a pendant 12 suspended from the neckband by a loop 13. The particular sport involved in necklace 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is the sport of American football. Accordingly, neckband 11 includes a plurality of links 14 each in the form of a football. The pendant 12 suspended from the neckband simulates a helmet normally worn by players when playing football.

Necklace 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 also includes closure elements at the end of the neckband 11 for closing the ends around the neck of the wearer. Such closure elements also simulate a football, as shown in 15, in the closed condition.

FIGS. 2 and 3 more particularly illustrate the construction of pendant 12 and loops 13. Thus, as shown in these figures, both of these elements include body members 12 a, 13 a, of a base metal, such as gold or silver, and a plurality of precious stones 12 b, 13 b, such as rubies and/or diamonds, mounted in their respective body members. Body member 12 a of the pendant is shaped like a football helmet.

As shown in FIG. 1, the football-simulating links 14 in neckband 11 could also include a body member 14 a made of a base metal, such as gold or silver, but shaped like a football. Links 14 may include a plurality of precious stones 14 b mounted on the outer surface to simulate the lacing of the football.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate another pendant 16 and loop 17 which may be used in place of pendant 12 and loop 13 in necklace 10 of FIG. 1. Thus, pendant 16 in FIGS. 4 and 5 is shaped to simulate a football of larger dimensions than the football-simulating links 14 in the neckband 11 of necklace 10. As in the pendant illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the football-simulating pendant 16 and loop 17 also include body members 16 a, 17 a of a base metal, such as gold or silver, having a plurality of precious stones 16 b, 17 b, mounted thereon. Any desired configuration of precious stones 16 b, 17 b, may be provided on the football-simulating pendant 16 and its loop 17.

FIG. 6 illustrates another article of jewelry constructed in accordance with the present invention, also in the form of a necklace 20, but associated with the sport of baseball. Thus, necklace 20 illustrated in FIG. 6 also includes a neckband 21 having a pendant 22 suspended therefrom by loop 23. In this case, neckband 21 includes a plurality of links 24 each simulating a baseball, and a pendant 22 configured to simulate a glove worn by baseball players. If desired the closure elements (not shown), for closing the ends of the neckband 21, may be also be shaped to simulate a glove, a baseball, or the like, in the closed condition of those elements.

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating the glove-simulating pendant 22, wherein it will be seen that the pendant includes a body member 22 a shaped to simulate a glove and formed of a base metal, such as gold or silver, with a plurality precious stones 22 b mounted thereon. As illustrated in FIG. 7, pendant 22 could also include another body member 22 c, also of a base metal such as gold or silver, in the shape of a baseball mounted in the center of the glove. The latter baseball could also include a plurality of additional precious stones 22 d thereon to simulate the lacing of a baseball.

The baseball-simulating links 24 of neckband 21 could also be made of a base metal 24 a, such as gold or silver, having a plurality of precious stones 24 b mounted thereon to simulate the lacing of a baseball.

FIG. 8 illustrates another configuration of pendant which could be used in necklace 20 illustrated in FIG. 6 in place of the glove-simulating pendant 22. The pendant illustrated in FIG. 8 is constricted to simulate a bat 26 and a ball 27, both made of a base metal, such as gold or silver, having precious stones embedded therein.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate another type of pendant, therein designated 28, which may be used in necklace 20 of FIG. 6 in place of the glove-shaped pendant 22, or the baseball-and-bat pendulum 26, 27 illustrated in FIG. 8. Pendant 28 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 is shaped to simulate a baseball helmet commonly worn by baseball players to protect their heads from being hit by a baseball. Helmet-shaped pendant 28 illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 also includes a body member 28 a made of a base metal, such as gold or silver, shaped according to a baseball helmet, and having a plurality of precious stones 28 b mounted thereon.

FIG. 11 illustrates another necklace constructed in accordance with the present invention, but to be associated with the sport of soccer (European football). In this case, the item of jewelry is also in the form of a necklace, generally designated 30 having a neckband 31 a pendant 32, and a loop 33 for mounting the pendant in suspension from the neckband. The neckband 31 includes a plurality of links 34 simulating soccer balls. It may also include closure elements (not shown) at the ends of the neckband 41 also to simulate a soccer ball in the closed condition of the closure elements.

Pendant 32 in necklace 30 illustrated in FIG. 11 is also constructed to simulate a soccer ball, but of substantially larger dimension than the soccer balls simulated by links 34. Pendant 32 is made of a body member 32 a of a base metal, such as gold or silver, simulating a soccer ball, and having mounted thereon a plurality of precious stones 32 b.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the necklace 30 of FIG. 11 but with a different pendant, namely a pendant 36 simulating the appearance of a soccer shoe. Thus, the shoe-simulating pendant 36 illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 may also be made of a body member 36 a of a base metal, such as gold or silver, but simulating the shape of a soccer shoe, and having a plurality of precious stones 36 b mounted thereon.

In all other respects, necklace 30 illustrated in FIG. 12 may be otherwise constructed in the same manner as described above with respect to FIG. 11, and therefore the corresponding elements have been identified by the same reference numerals.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate another necklace constructed in accordance with the present invention for association with the sport of basketball. The necklace illustrated in FIG. 14, and therein designated 40, includes a neckband 41 having a pendant 42 simulating a basketball and suspended from the necklace by a loop 43 simulating the hand of a basketball player. Necklace 40 further includes a plurality of links 44 in its neckband 41, which links simulate basketballs. The closure elements 45 closing neckband 41 also simulate a basketball in the closed condition of those elements.

As shown particularly in FIG. 15, the basketball-simulating links 44 may be constructed of a body member 44 a of a base metal, such as gold or silver, simulating a basketball, and a plurality of precious stones 44 b mounted on the outer face of body member 44 a to simulate the laces of the basketball. The basketball-simulating pendant 42 may be similarly constructed but of larger dimensions.

FIG. 16 illustrates another necklace constructed in accordance with the present invention for association with the sport of tennis. The necklace illustrated in FIG. 16, therein designated 50, also includes a neckband 51 having a pendant 52 suspended therefrom by loop 53. In this case, some of the links 54 of the neckband 51 simulate a tennis ball, whereas the pendant 52 simulates a tennis racket. Necklace 50 illustrated in FIG. 6 includes closure elements 55 at its opposite ends also simulating a tennis ball in their closed condition.

FIG. 17 more clearly illustrates the ball-simulating links 54, whereas FIG. 18 more clearly illustrates the racket-simulating pendant 52. Thus, as shown in FIG. 17, each of the balls 54 is constructed of a body member 54 a of a base metal, such as gold or silver, in the spherical shape of a tennis ball, and mounting a plurality of precious stones 54 b to simulate the shape of the lacings on the tennis ball. The racket-simulating pendant 52, as illustrated in FIG. 18, is also constructed of a body member 52 a of a base metal, such as gold or silver, in the shape of a tennis racket, and mounting a plurality of precious stones 52 b in the handle of the of the racket. If desired, the racket-simulating pendant 52 may also include another ball, shown at 52 c, fixed to the web portion of the racket, simulating another tennis ball and also of similar construction of the ball-simulating links 54 illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 illustrates another necklace constructed in accordance with the present invention, but to be associated with the sport of golf. In this case, the necklace illustrated in FIG. 19, and therein designated 60, also includes a neckband 61 and a pendant 62 formed with a loop 63 (FIG. 20) for mounting the pendant on neckband 61. Pendant 62 is shaped to simulate a golf club, whereas the neckband 61 includes a plurality of links 64 simulating a golf balls.

Each of the golf balls 64 may be constructed of a body member 64 a made of a base metal, such as gold or silver, mounting a plurality of precious stones 64 b to simulate the dimples of the golf ball. Pendant 62 may also be constructed of a body member 62 a of a base metal, such as gold or silver, shaped to simulate a golf club, and may include a plurality of precious stones 62 b. As shown in FIG. 19, pendant 62 could further include another body member 62 c simulating a golf ball and of the same construction as the golf ball-simulating link 64 of the neckband 61.

FIG. 21 illustrates a necklace, therein designated 70, constructed in accordance with the present invention, but to be associated with the sport of water skiing. Thus, necklace 70 illustrated in FIG. 21 also includes a neckband 71 of leather or the like to simulate the pull-rope of a water ski, and a pendant 72 suspended from neckband 71 by loop 73. Pendant 72 is constructed of a body member 72 a of base metal, such as gold or silver, simulating the shape of a water ski, and mounting a plurality of precious stones 72 b. The closure elements 75 at the opposite ends of neckband 71 may also be configured, if desired, to simulate the appearance of pull ropes used by water skiers.

FIGS. 22-26 illustrate another type of article of jewelry constructed in accordance with the present invention so as to be associated with a particular sport.

The article of jewelry illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23 is a ring, generally designated 80, having a finger band 81 for application to the wearer's finger, and an ornamental unit 82 carried by the upper surface of the finger band. In the example illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, finger band 81 is of a base metal, such as gold or silver, having an upper configuration simulating the appearance of a basket; whereas the ornamental unit 82 mounted on the upper side of the ring simulates a basketball received within the basket of finger band 81. The basket ball-simulating unit 82 in FIGS. 22 and 23 includes a body member 82 a of a base metal, such as gold or silver, simulating the shape of a basketball, and a plurality of precious stones 82 b mounted on the outer surface in a manner to simulate the lacings of the basketball.

FIGS. 24 and 25 also illustrate a ring constructed in accordance with the present invention, but to be associated with the sport of golf Thus ring 90 illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25 also includes a finger band 91 for application to the user's finger, and an ornamental unit 92 carried on the upper face of the finger band. In this case, finger band 91 is shaped to simulate a golf club having a shaft 91 a and a club 91 b at the end of the shaft. The shaft 91 a is formed as a continuous loop in order to be received on the wearer's finger, with the club 91 b located at the upper end of the finger band and facing outwardly so as to be adjacent to the ball-simulating ornament 92 of the ring. Ornament 92 may be constructed of a base metal, such as gold or silver, configured to simulate a golf ball, and may include a plurality of precious stones 92 b to simulate the dimples of the golf ball.

FIG. 26 illustrates another ring 100 for association with the sport of baseball. In this case, ring 100 includes a finger band 101 to simulate the appearance of a bat, and an ornament 102 projecting from its upper face to simulate a baseball. Ornament 102 may include a body member 102 a of a base metal shaped like a baseball, and mounting a plurality of precious stones 102 b arrayed to simulate the lacings of the baseball.

FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate another type of jewelry article constructed in accordance with the present invention for association with a particular sport. In this case, the jewelry article 110 is in the form of a bracelet including a wrist band 111, and one or more ornaments 112. Wrist band 111 is shaped to simulate a golf shaft, S having a shaft end 111 a and club end 111 b. Preferably, wrist band 111 is constructed of a plurality of sections, at least one of which is hinged, as shown in broken lines in FIG. 27, to enable applying and removing the band from the wrist of the wearer. The ornament 112 is shaped to simulate a golf ball. It is also made of a base metal, such as gold or silver, having a plurality of precious stones mounted on its outer surface to simulate the dimples in the golf ball.

The bracelet illustrated in FIGS. 27 and 28 is constituted of four sections, one or more of which may be hinged so as to enable convenient application to and removal from the wrist of a wearer. Each of the sections may include an ornamental unit 112 simulating a golf ball, as shown in FIG. 27.

While the invention has been described with respect to several preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that these are set forth merely for purposes of example. Other examples in which the invention could be implemented include pins, brooches, crowns, headbands, and other forms of jewelry articles.

Many other variations, modifications and applications of the invention will be apparent. 

1. An article of jewelry of a design and construction for associating the jewelry article with a particular sport, comprising: a mounting unit for mounting the jewelry article on a wearer; and an ornamental unit carried by said mounting unit; characterized in that said mounting unit and said ornamental unit simulate the appearance of two different items of the same sport to identify said particular sport.
 2. The article of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein said jewelry article is a necklace, said mounting unit is a neck band, and said ornamental unit is a pendant depending from said neck band.
 3. The article of jewelry according to claim 2, wherein said particular sport is football, said neckband includes one or more links simulating a football, and said pendant simulates a helmet worn by players when playing football.
 4. (canceled)
 5. The article of jewelry according to claim 2, wherein said particular sport is baseball, said neckband includes one or more links simulating a baseball, and said pendant simulates a glove worn by players when playing baseball.
 6. The article of jewelry according to claim 2, wherein said particular sport is baseball, said neckband includes one or more links simulating a baseball, and said pendant includes a simulation of a bat used by players when playing baseball.
 7. The article of jewelry according to claim 2, wherein said particular sport is baseball, said neckband includes one or more links simulating a baseball, and said pendant simulates a baseball helmet worn by players when playing baseball.
 8. The article of jewelry according to claim 2, wherein said sport is soccer, said neckband includes one or more links simulating a soccer ball, and said pendant simulates a shoe worn by players when playing soccer. 9.-10. (canceled)
 11. The article of jewelry according to claim 2, wherein said sport is tennis, said neckband includes one or more links simulating a tennis ball, and said pendant simulates a tennis racket.
 12. The article of jewelry according to claim 2, wherein said sport is golf, said neckband includes one or more links simulating a golf ball, and said pendant simulates a golf club.
 13. The article of jewelry according to claim 2, wherein said sport is water skiing, said neckband simulates a pull rope used in water skiing, and said pendant simulates a ski board used in water skiing.
 14. The article of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein said article of jewelry is a ring, said mounting unit is a finger band for mounting on the finger of a wearer and simulating the appearance of one item of the particular sport, and said ornamental unit includes a precious stone mounted on said finger band and simulating the appearance of another different item of the particular sport.
 15. The article of jewelry according to claim 16 wherein said particular sport is basketball, said finger band includes a simulation of a basket, and said ornamental unit simulates a basket ball carrying one or more precious stones.
 16. The article of jewelry according to claim 16, wherein said particular sport is golf, said finger band simulates a golf club, and said ornamental unit simulates a golf ball carrying a plurality of precious stones.
 17. The article of jewelry according to claim 16, wherein said sport is baseball, said finger band simulates a baseball bat, and said ornamental unit simulates a baseball.
 18. The article of jewelry according to claim 1, wherein said jewelry article is a bracelet, said mounting unit is a wrist band simulating the appearance of one item of the particular sport, and said ornamental unit includes a precious unit mounted on said wrist band and simulating the appearance of a different item of the particular sport.
 19. The article of jewelry according to claim 20, wherein said particular sport is baseball, said wrist band includes a simulation of a bat, and said ornamental unit includes a simulation of a baseball made of or including a precious stone. 